How do determine how good a crna program is?

Now that I have you here, I am looking for questions to ask the directors of the CRNA programs in my area to determine if I am going to get the best experience out of the program I choose. The questions I have so far are

1) how many nerve blocks, on average, does each SRNA do on actual patients from start to finish?

2) is there a nerve block rotation and do all students get to go to it?

3) how many central lines on average does each SRNA do on patients from start to finish?

4) is there an autonomous/independent SRNA rotation that all students get to experience?

5) do the SRNA's get an opportunity to write PACU orders and learn to manage the PACU?

6) How do you feel the mandatory DNP is going to affect the CRNA profession?

I cannot think of any more questions right now so I came to you. Can you think of anything that would of made you a better CRNA? Something that was lacking in your program? Please help me think of more questions so I can determine where I will receive the best education in the classroom and the OR.

I would skip number 6. It doesn't matter what the school really thinks of the DNP/doctorate requirement for nurse anesthesia. The school just has to implement a doctorate program by the time requirement set by the COA. They don't have to like it or not. It maybe a sore subject for some school faculty. Instead you may want to ask how is the implementation of the doctorate for nurse anesthetists effecting the length of their program, the amount of classes taken, and if there is going to be any effect on the length of clinical rotations?.

You may also ask if there is pain management rotation where you get learn to do ESIs etc. Few schools would offer one, but it would be interesting to find out if the schools that you are interested in had this option available.

What is the attrition rate over the last 5yrs, and how does the school handle remediation for students that are having academic and/or clinical set backs?

You want to know the average case numbers for the school (hearts, crainis, generals, MACs, peds, regionals etc). A good school is going to exceed the minimum in all specialities by a lot! You should do at least a 1000+ cases by graduation, 50+PNBs, 10+CVLs, 50+Neuraxial techniques, 10+on pump open hearts, 10+thoracotomies, 100+ peds cases...Simulations should not count towards actual numbers, and you need to inquire the school is counting simulations towards actual numbers. Lastly, you need to find out when doing speciality cases such as open hearts, if there will be other nurse anesthetists students sharing those cases (will they be in the same room at the same time) with you. Some schools have 2-3 students in the same room at the same time counting the same speciality case.

The only other thing I can think of is the type of preceptor arrangement at the clinical sites. Will you be 1:1 with a clinical preceptor or 2:1 (two students to one preceptor). Are the students used as staff or do you have the ability to float from around in the ORs if something interesting or unique comes up.

A good school will give you the chance to talk to other SRNAs, unimpeded by faculty, currently in the program.

I just got off a long 4 days of call, so hopefully this all makes sense.